The National Rescue Movement’s presidential hopeful, Esther Okereke, has unveiled a plan to tackle Nigeria’s electricity crisis, insecurity, corruption and economic challenges if elected president in 2027.
Okereke, an actress and humanitarian, said her decision to seek the presidency was driven by years of working with vulnerable Nigerians, including widows, orphans and people living with disabilities.
She rejected the perception that her political ambition was simply a case of a celebrity venturing into politics, arguing that her years of grassroots humanitarian work had given her first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing ordinary Nigerians.
According to her, she operates foundations supporting widows, orphans and people with disabilities without government funding.
She said this experience had made her a grassroots candidate with a strong understanding of the needs of ordinary Nigerians.
The ESTHER Agenda
Okereke said her campaign is built around the ESTHER Agenda, which she described as a “people’s manifesto” focused on key areas of national development, including economic growth, electricity, education, security, social and sustainable development, technology, transparency, housing and healthcare.
On electricity, she proposed the use of renewable energy and decentralised power systems to address Nigeria’s persistent power shortage.
She said her administration would target the generation of 25,000 megawatts of electricity within its first 100 days in office.
According to Okereke, reliable electricity would also support efforts to address insecurity because it would improve visibility and enable authorities to better identify and respond to security threats.
She attributed the persistent challenges in the power sector partly to corruption and self-interest, promising to replace government officials who fail to meet clearly defined performance targets.
Tackling Government Waste and Debt
To address Nigeria’s financial challenges, Okereke said her administration would review government agencies and parastatals, with plans to eliminate redundant institutions and organisations that no longer serve a useful purpose.
She said resources saved from such restructuring would be redirected into productive sectors of the economy.
Community Policing and Insecurity
On insecurity, the presidential hopeful proposed increased funding for the police and greater investment in community policing.
She argued that properly trained and equipped residents who understand their communities could play a significant role in protecting their neighbourhoods.
According to her, community-based security structures could be established within six months if the necessary resources and support were provided.
Anti-Corruption Drive
Okereke identified corruption as one of the biggest obstacles to solving Nigeria’s security and economic problems.
She said tackling corruption would be a priority of her administration because resources meant for development would continue to be lost unless corruption was effectively addressed.
She also called for greater investment in retaining skilled Nigerian professionals, arguing that the country must create better opportunities to discourage the continued migration of highly trained workers seeking better conditions abroad.
Okereke said she expects her strongest support to come from grassroots communities and ordinary Nigerians.
Although she has not previously held public office, she said her experience in business across sectors including hospitality, real estate, construction and agriculture had equipped her with practical experience in managing people and resources.
She maintained that the most important quality required to lead Nigeria was the determination and political will to make difficult decisions in the interest of citizens.